The original Yan Guang and Tian Tian, or Sweetie and Sunshine, have not done so well in the reproductive stakes.

They had a window of just 36 hours to breed this week but failed to do so. The zoo having ruled out artificial insemination, it will now be another year before the pandas can try for cubs again. In the meantime, the panda lambs could satisfy the desire for all things black and white.

Miss Noble expects to get a higher price for them at market and thinks there will be a high demand from smallholders with a few livestock, who are always interested in the prettiest animals.

The lambs, which derive from both Scottish and Icelandic sheep, will soon have their own babies and the farmer is waiting excitedly to see how they will look.

Miss Noble, who has 120 sheep, Icelandic cows and Red Aberdeen Angus cattle, said: ‘I am really hoping the panda lambs might take off. I certainly think they are amazing and who knows – they could become the breed of the future.’